The evolution of power distribution in the spacecraft goes into a modular architecture direction. Especially the secondary power distribution from the satellite bus to the modules can be made more efficient by applying modular design and standard power interfaces.
Application Specific Integrated Circuits or ASICs are non-standard integrated circuits that are designed for a specific use or application. Here a complete system or product is integrated onto a chip and virtually no other components are required. Its function cannot be changed to anything else because its circuitry is made up of permanently connected in silicon. The cost of designing an ASIC is very high, NRE (Non-Recurring Engineering) cost, and therefore they tend to be reserved for high volume products. But ASICs can be very cost effective for many applications where they are produced in large scale.
Aerospace developers and Space engineers are looking towards non-volatile memories such as NAND flash and solid state drives as alternatives for mass storage in space applications
In this podcast, Mr. Tommazo Vergina, who will speak during this space, talks about ASIC. He’s considered as an expert for analog ASIC design at IC ALPS company located In France.
Tommazo has done his study in Italy and has received a Ph.D. degree covering all aspects related to the design of IC considering radiation effects.
Laser test was performed firstly to quality the SEL sensitivity because it is easy and ready at all times. Heavy ion beam teat was executed secondly to quantify the SEL tolerance of the ASICs.
The easiest response could be: SpaceFiber is a multi-Gbits/s, on-board network technology for spaceflight applications which complements well known SpaceWire network and both are for the satellites that, what Ethernet for us on the ground.